Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative
The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI) supports Indigenous communities addressing local safety and crime prevention concerns with the goal of strengthening community well-being and resilience.
On this page
- Community Safety Plans
- Funding for Community Safety Plans
- Eligibility Requirements
- Features
- Contact us
Support for Indigenous community-led planning and implementation of solutions
The ACSPI supports Indigenous community-driven safety planning through the Community Safety Planning process. Facilitators work with communities to identify safety and wellness priorities to develop a holistic, culturally-relevant, long-term safety plan. Through the ACSPI, over 90 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities from across Canada have completed Community Safety Plans with more taking part in the initiative every year.
Community Safety Plans
Through the ACSPI, communities receive the support, tools and resources they need to develop a Community Safety Plan (CSP). The CSP is a strategic, community-led plan that responds to a community's unique concerns and safety priorities. These plans identify community strengths, assets, as well as safety and wellness goals in order for all community members to see themselves involved on a path leading toward a healthier, safer home and community life.
How it works
The ACSPI sponsors trained facilitators who help communities identify and define their safety concerns, which could include Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, violence, organized crime, substance use or other issues. They then work together to develop solutions to address the root causes of the present-day issues specific to the community. The end result is a community-endorsed CSP.
The ACSPI's work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities is based on recognition, respect, and Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination, and so the safety planning process can only begin if it has the community's support and informed consent. Community leadership must provide written endorsement before the community safety planning process can begin. The community's strong support for the process is foundational to its success.
Benefits of completing a Community Safety Plan
- Achieves a vision for long-term safety and wellness
- Identifies the communities' priorities, challenges, assets and strengths
- Builds collaborative relationships with external partners
- Strengthens community connections and focus
- Provides direction and opportunities to implement projects related to community safety
Additionally, the ACSPI holds in-person and virtual safety planning conferences during the year to provide an opportunity for participants to connect with each other and share safety planning solutions and best practices with fellow planners. Learn more by watching our videos in the features section.
Funding for Community Safety Plans
Once the CSP is complete, the ACSPI can help communities to identify and seek resources to help develop and implement safety initiatives specified in their CSP, through Public Safety's Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program (see Terms and Conditions - Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program). Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year by communities who have completed the CSP process.
Funding Eligibility Requirements
Eligible activities for funding include knowledge building and sharing, capacity building, program design, and implementation.
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Workshops or educational activities grounded in traditional culture
- Intervention projects aimed at youth or to combat substance use or family violence
- Training opportunities to develop skills and capacity
- Healing circles
- Cultural events
- Projects to increase outside collaboration and partnerships
- Programing that provides a holistic model of support and services for community members
The ACSPI also works with other government funding partners to help support the implementation of community safety priorities.
Features
Get a quick overview of the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative.
Learn how the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative works with Indigenous communities on their journeys to safety and well-being.
Contact us
For more information about participating in the program please email ps.ACSPI-IPSCA.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca the following information:
- Name
- Community name or organization
- Location
- Contact information: Phone Number and Email
- Date modified: